|
Wetlands
There are 1,337 acres of tidal wetlands in Stafford County. The tidal wetlands serve as spawning and nursery grounds for a variety of fish and crabs. Thirty percent of rare and endangered species at some point in their life cycle depend on tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands also remove sediments and impurities from the water, diminish flood waters and protect the shoreline from erosion.
Inland from the tidal wetlands are many areas of non-tidal wetlands, which take on an array of characteristics. They are more diverse than tidal wetlands in terms of species found in them, their location in the landscape and the functions they perform. All non-tidal wetlands contain poorly drained soils that are soggy at least part of the year. Before development occurs in a wetland, an individual is required to submit a Joint Permit Application (JPA). Applications are available on-line at www.mrc.state.va.us under the link for VMRC's Habitat Management Division or from the Department of Planning and Community Development at the Stafford County Administration Center, 1300 Courthouse Road. The purpose of this application is to determine if permits for development are required from the Stafford County Wetlands Board, the Virginia Marine Resource Commission (VMRC), the Virginia State Water Control Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In most cases, permits will be required for shoreline protection measures such as bulkheads and riprap structures. For a completed application, the permit process usually takes 45 to 60 days. Please submit JPA directly to VMRC. For further information on wetlands, see the online site of the Virginia Marine Resource Commission or call the Department of Planning and Zoning at (540) 658-8668. |